Yes, that is my 5 year old playing a video game while my two year old is "playing" alongside him with a battery-free remote in her hands. As I sit on the couch with a perfect little 5 week old in my arms I begin to wonder about this picture and how it will be a bit different for all three of my children.

What you don’t see in this picture is Lucy's absolute adoration for her older brother. She is his ultimate shadow. She fears nothing with him around and is willing to try about anything to get his approval. Without even knowing it he is teaching and leading her along the way. Just by default of birth order he is expected to be the leader within our group of three. What a privilege and huge responsibility that is for him. He will be able to learn how to help, guide, and even influence his younger siblings. His leadership skills will be tested and molded for years to come.

Lucy will also get that opportunity to lead her little brother one day. I suspect Anthony will look up to both her and Vince one day and Lucy will get her time to learn how to be a leader within our household. She will guide her little brother (probably with LOTS of authority) and will learn how to use her voice and actions to impact his life in a positive way as well.

That leads me to ponder (and worry a bit) about Anthony. What a challenge it will be to ensure he is getting time to develop his leadership skills. What a challenge it will be to make sure I do not “do everything” for him because he is the “baby” of the family! He will need to learn just like them how to help, guide, and lead others and it will be my job to make sure he is given that opportunity. I know the research and I know that his first five years are PIVITOL in developing his personality. I want nothing more for my children than for them to have a sense of self-worth and for them to find their voice to be leaders in this world.

There are many reasons I love TLC but primarily it is because I KNOW that every teacher in this building loves children and are dedicated to helping each child find their voice in order for them to internalize their self-worth. For that reason, I don’t have to worry so much that I will drop the ball. I know that I will “baby” my little man but thankfully I have a place where the teachers will remind me to not “cheat” him out of being able to experience first hand what leadership, independence, and accomplishment feel like!

When it comes to the world of a toddler nothing is more exciting than water and sensory experiences. When Ms. Destanie and Ms. Julie noticed that their particular group of toddlers were more likely to stay at a water station than any other activity set up in the room they decided to dig a little deeper and to begin a project to investigate water!

They started their project by asking the question: ﻿﻿What can water do?﻿﻿ They then began by establishing opportunities for the children to discover all the mysteries of water! Making bubbles and play dough led the toddlers to discover that water can make things! Exploring icicles, painting snow, and painting ice balls led them to discover that water can melt. Giving our baby dolls baths and washing our cars has helped them to learn that water can be used to clean. A baking soda, water, and vinegar experiment also taught them that water can be powerful and can make things happen! The light table and pre-made water bags helped the children to understand that water can move. Observing water beads taught them that water can be absorbed!

There is an endless amount of concepts to learn about water and our toddlers are just beginning. Ms. Destanie and Ms. Julie have been busy observing and talking with the toddlers about their findings. Their growing understanding and vocabulary surrounding water is astounding to watch!

Next they will begin exploring that water can support life, Let the fun and learning continue!